_Central Division - GDHQNHL15_2pg-Chicago Blackhawks 1

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Chicago
BLACKHAWKS
Key Additions:
C Brad Richards
Key Subtractions:
LW Brian Bollig, C Michal
Handzus, C Pierre-Marc Boucard
Strengths:
High-scoring first and second
lines. Solid defensive group.
Weaknesses:
Penalty Kill and questions
in goal following last year’s
playoff.
Offense
Blackhawks fans will not have to worry about their team putting the
puck in the back of the net. The team from Chicago led the NHL in goals
scored last season, led by a multitude of scorers. With five players totaling
20 goals or more, including two 30-goal scorers, and six players with 60
points or more, they should undoubtedly be among the highest-scoring
teams in the NHL once again in the upcoming season.
With a bevy of talented forwards, the Blackhawks may have the best
trio of first-line forwards in the entire league. With captain Jonathan
Toews (28 goals, 40 assists) centering Patrick Sharp (34 goals, 44 assists) and
Marian Hossa (30 goals, 30 assists) on the wings, teams had a difficult time
containing this threesome en route to the playoffs.
While the top-line is impressive, general manager Stan Bowman
decided a little bit of depth was necessary for the second scoring line.
Bowman brought in center Brad Richards over from the New York Rangers
this off-season to center wingers Brandon Saad (19 goals, 28 assists) and
Patrick Kane (29 goals, 40 assists). With a young set of wingers pushing the
pace, the Blackhawks are hoping that Richards’ leadership on that line will
also turn into points. There is still more hockey in the skates of the former
Stanley Cup winner.
One player that could make an appearance later in the year is Teuvo
Teravainen. A long shot to make the team at the start of the year; he could
eventually push his way on to the big club. A highly touted 20-year old
center, he will get the first crack at the lineup if any of the players in the
top-six, especially Richards, do not live up to expectations.
Defense
Any set of defensemen that is led by a two-time Norris Trophy has to
be pretty good, and this group surely does not disappoint. Duncan Keith,
the reigning top defensemen in the NHL, is one of the best pure skaters in
the game today. His skating ability, combined with his ability to pass with
such precision has made him the cream of the crop amongst NHL blue
liners. With 61 points (6 goals, 55 assists) as a 30-year-old, Keith is still in the
prime of his career and has the ability to put a couple more Norris Trophies
on his mantel.
While Keith is definitely the premier defensemen in this group, there
are other players on the roster that any team would want. One such player
is Keith’s partner, Brent Seabrook. Seabrook has proven to be as steady as
they come over the last several years as he hasn’t had a negative plus/minus
since his second year in the league. Not only is he reliable defensively, but
he has also added offense to his game, producing over 40 points twice in the
last four years, including 41 points (7 goals, 34 assists) last season.
After a top pair that is perhaps the best in the league, the Blackhawks
have a reliable second pair defense with the Swedish duo of Niklas
Jonathan Toews
Bill Smith/NHL/Getty Images
WESTERN CONFERENCE
CENTRAL DIVISION